Stranger Danger

[jeepjeepwhat]

I live in a very small, safe community with a population under 5,000. We recently had a 6 year old girl abducted from her front yard while playing with friends. She was located 3 hours later, naked, and bloody after walking 2 miles to the nearest house for help. Her abductor had taken her on a car ride, took her down by the river, took her clothes off and beat her in the head with a rock and left her for dead.

Please educate children of "Stranger Danger". Remind anyone with children to go over this, and go over it often. Today seems like a good day for a refresher course. There are lot of things that could have prevented this situation, but that is neither here nor there. You can never be too safe.


Here are some links with "Stranger Danger" information.

Kidnapping Prevention and Stranger Safety : Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower : Personal Safety for Kids

Stranger Danger

McGruff.org -- Strangers and Other Dangers

'Stranger-Danger' Warnings Not Effective at Keeping Kids Safer

 

[DeadAye]

Has her abductor's body been found yet?

 

[GatorFarmer]

If you want to play it by the numbers, "stranger danger" is a relatively uncommon danger - see the Penn and Teller episode. In terms of threat/hazards, kids are more likely to be molested or hurt by someone that they know. They're also more likely to fall victim to a household poison or burn the house down playing with matches. Not that it isn't a threat that shouldn't be educated about, but focusing on it to the exclusion of others, or as the primary danger, is likely a mistake.

 

[jeepjeepwhat]

If you want to play it by the numbers, "stranger danger" is a relatively uncommon danger - see the Penn and Teller episode. In terms of threat/hazards, kids are more likely to be molested or hurt by someone that they know. They're also more likely to fall victim to a household poison or burn the house down playing with matches. Not that it isn't a threat that shouldn't be educated about, but focusing on it to the exclusion of others, or as the primary danger, is likely a mistake.

Good Point GF. My main point is that we should take more time with our children educating them on all of the dangers that they may face everyday. Once isn't enough.

 

[Krull]

It happens,the world has always been just a bit goofy,but it's worse of late,I agree with GatorFarmer that if you have kids they should be taught about ALL the things that could be,and lead to,a life ending event~life is a wild ride,and guess what? you could die along the way,faster if you happen to be stupid!

And I also think more adults should be aware of "stranger danger" way too many walk about with their collective heads up up their keaster.....

 

[truckemup97]

Tell your kids over and over, and make sure they completely understand that they WILL NOT be in any kind of trouble if they tell you that "Uncle Joe touched me in a funny place." Many threats are made by molesters to keep kids quiet....

This all came home to us last weekend when the father of one of my daughter's classmates was arrested for several crimes against children. He was the guy that was always at the school, helping with everything, bringing the class Frosties at lunch, etc. My BS/creep detector is pretty strong, and this guy never set it off. You have to be careful of EVERYONE these days. Fortunately for us, there have been no reports of kids from the school being molested by him.